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K-State Today

April 1, 2014

K-State to host North American launch of international engagement report at engagement symposium

Submitted by David E. Procter

The K-State Engagement Symposium on April 7 will have more than just speakers. It will feature an international report.

Kansas State University will be the first university in North America to launch Higher Education in the World 5 report, "Knowledge, Engagement, and Higher Education: Contributing to Social Change."

This report — part of a series edited by the Global University Network for Innovation — explores the current and potential roles of higher education institutions as active players in contributing to the creation of a more sustainable world. The network's mission is to strengthen higher education's role in society with a vision of public service, relevance, and social responsibility.

"What kinds of knowledge, theory of knowledge and knowledge ecologies are required to transform the world into a place of peace, happiness, justice and equity for citizens of the world?" said Rajesh Tandon, guest editor of the report.

The report tackles such issues as social responsibility of universities; partnerships between universities and other social actors; how universities in different countries promote engagement; and the practice of engagement as a key feature in the evolution of higher education.

With three years of research and 76 international author contributions, the network has compiled the most comprehensive report written on the global dimensions of community-university knowledge partnerships and engagement. The report includes a tool box for higher education practitioners with examples of good practices and projects, recent innovations, and relevant experiences.

The 2014 symposium theme is "The Centrality of Engagement in Higher Education: Integrating engagement across the university." Four breakout sessions will explore engagement in core mission areas of university work including research, teaching, outreach and extension, and measurement and reporting. K-State faculty and staff also will highlight their work in conversation with the invited leaders.

The event is free and open to all faculty, students and general public. The symposium is sponsored by the provost's office, the Center for Engagement and Community Development and the School of Leadership Studies. The agenda is online.

Future launches of this volume are planned for the U.K., Spain, Korea, Malta, Hong Kong, Ireland and India. The report is published by Palgrave MacMillan and is available for purchase